Rules of the Road Part 1

1 Rules of the road Part 1 History of the Rules regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) Refers to International Rules ONLY Full name: Convention on the international regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 Rules in this form were developed by the IMO, put in effective July 15, 1977 and amended in 1981 and 1989 Inland Rules Inland Navigation Rules Act, 1980 Combined and standardized old sets of Rules Inland Rules are part of the Code of Federal regulations : this means they are LAW2 The Nature of Risk at Sea In 1979, MIT analyzed collision data with the following results Crossing 9%, Overtaking 9%, Doubtful 10%, Meeting/Head-On 72% 1/3 of collisions occur at night or early morning (4-8 watch) Visibility was the number one factor influencing collision3 Construction of the Book Five Parts Part A: General Part B: Steering and Sailing Rules Three Subparts Part C: Lights and Shapes Part D: Sound and Light Signals Part E: Exemptions (Not testable) Five Annexes4 Construction of the Book Other information Interpretive Rules Lines of Demarcation (where else can they be found?)

2 Penalty Provisions (Inland) Alternative Compliance Waters Specified by the Secretary Vessel BTB R/T regulations Corrections ..there is simply no substitute for studying and reading the Rules of the road directly from the Coast Guard text ADM James Stavridis5 Part AGeneralRule 1 ApplicationInternational Applies to ALL vessels upon the high seas Rules do not interfere with national sovereignty Operation of special Rules Must comply as closely as possible with COLREGS Traffic Separation Schemes Governments approve closest possible compliance Inland Applies to all vessels upon the inland waters of US Constitute special Rules as referred to in COLREGS These must not interfere with special Rules made by SECNAV Traffic Separation Schemes may be established The Secretary approves

3 All certificates of alternative compliance7 Rule 1 ApplicationSpecial Navy Signals (Title 32 National Defense) Submarines Man Overboard Yardarm signaling lights A/C Warning UNREP contour Minesweeping station keeping Special operations Convoy Wake illumination Flight ops Amphibious opsRule 2 Responsibility Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seaman The General Prudential Rule Forehandedness and prudence The mariner is responsible not only for complying with the Rules but also for avoiding a 3 Definitions Basics Sailing vessel Power-driven vessel (includes non-displacement) Vessel Underway In sight of one another Restricted Visibility.

4 Normal range of visibility for a given height of eye is 3 Definitions Vessel engaged in fishing Using nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict maneuverability Be careful with restricts maneuverability because it is NOT restricted in ability to maneuver Does not include a vessel engaged in trolling12 TrollingTrawlingRule 3 Definitions Vessel not under command Unable to maneuver as required by the Rules Unable to keep out of the way of another vessel What are exceptional circumstances? Loss of main engines; Damaged shaft; Major internal damage; 3 Definitions Vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver FROM THE NATURE OF HER WORK is restricted in her ability to maneuver as required by these Rules Unable to keep out of the way of another vessel Includes towing ONLY if severely restricted in ability to deviate from their course14 Rule 3 Definitions Constrained by draft International only Draft in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water No inland equivalent because such a subjective rule might lead to abuses and result in a situation wherein a vessel considering herself constrained by her draft claims a right of way to which she is not entitled thereby creating a dangerous

5 Situation -Farewll15 Rule 3 Definitions Additional Inland terms Western Rivers Great Lakes Secretary Inland Waters Inland Rules or Rules International Regulations16 Part BSteering and Sailing RulesSubpart I Conduct of Vessels in AnyCondition of VisibilityRule 4 Application Application of Rules 4-10 Anycondition of visibility18 Rule 5 Look-out Maintain a proper lookout by all available means underway AND at anchor Sight and hearing Designated comms watch to enable listening in restricted visibility Bearing circles, alidades and night vision Is your look-out maintaining a proper watch in foul weather? Support your lookout with foul weather and cold weather gear Must be trained to make a full appraisal of the 19 Rule 6 Safe Speed Determinants of Safe Speed Draft of vessel in relation to charted depth Stopping distance and turning ability Presence of background lighting State of winds, sea, and current State of visibility Traffic density Fast enough to maneuver, slow enough to stop in time 20 Rule 6 Safe Speed Vessels with operational radar should also consider.

6 Characteristics, efficiency and limitations of the radar set Constraints imposed by range scale in use Effect on radar of sea state, weather or other interference Possibility that small vessels, objects, or ice may not be detected by radar at an adequate range to avoid collision Number, location, and movement of vessels detected Must reassess as conditions change!21 Rule 7 Risk of Collision Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstancesto determine if risk of collision exists Early use of RADAR or equivalent systematic observation of detected ! Systematic observation DO NOT make assumptions on scanty information Corroborate sources of data CBDR = risk of collision Assume risk of collision exists if not sure22 Rule 8 Action to Avoid Collision Any action taken to avoid collision : Shall bepositive, made in ample time, and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship Should be large enough to be readily apparent to the other vessel Avoid small alterations of course and speed.

7 Given ample sea room, course change alone is most effective The effectiveness of the action shall be carefully checked until the vessel is passed and clear23 Rule 8 Action to Avoid Collision There s only two variables you can alter to avoid collision: courseand speed If necessary, slacken speed to allow more time to analyze the situation or avoid collision Even if you are the stand on vessel, you still must take action to AVOID COLLISION24 Rule 8 Action to Avoid Collision A vessel required by any rule in this part not to impede another vessel s passage SHALL take early action If you must not impede a vessel, you must be fully aware of the action required by your vessel under the Rules If you are the stand-on vessel, you are still responsible for preventing collision25 Rule 9 Narrow Channels The basics Stay on the right side of the channel Sailing vessels, fishing vessels.

8 And vessels less than 20 meters shall not impede vessels restricted to the channel Crossing vessels shall not impede vessels which can only safely operate in the channel If the circumstances of the case admit do not anchor in a channel26 Rule 9 Narrow Channels Rule 9 (e) i (International) Signals SHALL be sounded when overtaking can take place onlyif the vessel to be overtaken has to take action to permit safe passing Rule 9 (e) i (Inland) Signals SHALL be exchanged for allovertaking situations27 Danger signal required if any doubt exists( ) This signal is used beforea vessel is in extremis so confusion can be resolved Signal and response when approaching a bend ( )Rule 10 Traffic Separation Schemes The basics Use small angle of approach to enter/depart Cross the scheme at right angles Only proceed in the correct lane If possible, do not proceed in the separation zone or use inshore traffic zone except entering or leaving the TSS Do NOT proceed in the wrong direction If not using the TSS avoid it by as much as possible28 EnteringCrossingRule 10 Traffic Separation Schemes Applies to traffic separation schemes adopted by IMO.

9 Does notrelieve any vessel of her obligation under any other rule. TSS is just paint on the chart (different than a narrow channel) Normal Rules to determine stand-on and give-way apply29 Rule 10 Traffic Separation Schemes Sailing vessels, fishing vessels, vessels less than 20 meters shall not impede the safe passage of a power-driven vessel following a traffic lane May use inshore traffic zone30Do not impede passageRule 10 Traffic Separation Schemes Exceptions to the Rule to extent necessary to carry out their work when engaged in an operation for the maintenance of safety of navigation in a TSS when engaged in an operation for the laying, servicing, or picking up of a submarine cable31 ARPA.

10 Relative North-up6 mile scaleRelative Vectors12 minutes(red tails)Own Target1 Stand-on 12 Alter to Stbd 23 Alter to Port 34 Slow Down 45 Stop 5 Own shipRules of the RoadScenario 132 Part BSteering and Sailing RulesSection II Conduct of Vessels in Sight of One AnotherRule 11 & Rule 12 Application Rule 11 These Rules apply to vessels in sight of one another Rule 12 Port tack yields to starboard tack Windward yields to leeward vessel on same tack34 WindStarboard TackPort TackWindWindwardLeewardRule 13 Overtaking Must be approaching from two points ( ) abaft the beam to be overtaking At night this means the overtaking vessel can only see the stern light of the vessel being overtaken.